SearchSpring 2010
By: Lauren Mastro Assistant Scene Editor April 16, 2010
A “green revolution” has gained momentum that encourages people across the world to become more environmentally conscious. Next week, the Asian World Center and Fine and Performing Arts Department are teaming up to promote environmental awareness through the sixth Asian Culture Week.
The Asian World Center has sponsored the Asian Culture Week every year since 2005. Each year, the Center designates a certain theme related to politics, social issues or culture.
This year’s theme, “Asia the Colorful: Striving for Greener,” reflects the green spirit within a rapidly industrializing world. Dr. Maorong Jiang, political science associate professor and director of the Asian World Center, said the week’s presentations embrace the theme of living harmoniously with nature.
“We planned the sixth Asian Culture Week in April, in which we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and Arbor Day,” Jiang said. "The term 'In concert with nature' presents our wish as to be in peace with our planet Earth.”
The week kicks off on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Lied Center with “In concert with nature: music from the world.” The concert features the Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Frederick Hanna; the symphony orchestra, directed by Thomas Kluge; and jazz ensemble, directed by Dr. Linda Williams. Hanna said the overlapping dates of Asian Culture Week and the Wind Ensemble and University Orchestra’s public performance provided a unique opportunity for collaboration.
“We noticed that the April 18th date coincided with the opening of the Asian Culture Week so we agreed to be the kick-off event on Sunday afternoon,” Hanna said.
The ensembles will perform pieces not only from Asia, but from other parts of the world as well. Through this musical experience, Hanna hopes the concert will expose students to eastern and western sounds, while also raising awareness about sustainability issues.
“Our effort to expose students to different styles and types of the arts in general, and specific to our music concert, is a core belief in the department,” Hanna said. “In this concert, we will present music from the Western world, as well as the Eastern world.”
In addition to the “In concert with nature” presentation, Chinese musicians will perform traditional pieces with customary instruments in the “River Water” concert on Tuesday in the Lied Center. The evening concludes with a joint Western-Eastern oil painting by Creighton art professor John Thein and Chinese artist and vice president of China’s Nanjing Art Institute Dr. He Xiaoyou.
Other events during the week include public lectures about sustainability and art, sushi-making demonstrations and roundtable discussions. Joel Davies, an Apple Distinguished educator and Journalism and Mass Communications associate professor, will also direct a demo-presentation called “Go Paperless: computing a green digital obligation,” in which he discusses the ramifications of environmentalism in the digital age. Dr. He will give the keynote presentation, entitled “Chinese traditional green thinking and its impact upon industrial designs,” in the Harper Center Lied Auditorium.
All events are free and open to the public with the donation of a canned food item. All proceeds go to the Siena/Francis House.
The world evoked by Creighton University philosophy professor Jinmei Yuan, Ph.D, in her award-winning novella, Village Luokan, offers the reader a glimpse into Chinese life in transition. The story is about what happens when Western industrial modernization confronts people from a 1,000-year-old village.
This glimpse into a fictional village’s life was so compelling that it earned Yuan the 2009 Maotai Cup People’s Literature Award from the Chinese Writers’ Association, which ranked it one of the two best novellas published in China during the year.
Village Luokan was originally published in December 2008 by People’s Literature, China’s first literary journal and one of the two most prestigious literary journals in that country. In the 10 months following its original publication, Village Luokan has been reprinted seven times by various journals and presses.
The novella addresses the topic of social justice, using the work of late American political philosopher John Rawls (1921-2002) as its starting point.
“Luokan is a traditional village, where customs, traditions and habits function as laws to deal with fairness. Relationships and personal feelings often take over the role of justice,” Yuan said.
As the characters from Luokan leave the village and enter industrialized society, Yuan explores the conflict between kinship relations and justice.
Yuan, who has been writing creatively since the age of 13, beginning with poetry, had a natural teacher at home – her mother, a Chinese literature professor. From the time she was very small, her mother “made sure I knew my letters (calligraphy) perfectly,” Yuan said.
Yuan is known to be a gifted writer, but this professor, who came to Creighton in 2001, can be understood in many more roles.
She is a masterful philosopher whose research interests extend from comparative logic to Chinese philosophy, Zen Buddhism to the philosophy of Asian literature. Her Creighton courses include logic but also Western and Eastern philosophies and Buddhism.
Yuan is also fascinated with teaching philosophy to children and has designed several such courses for Omaha area schools and takes some of her students each year to teach the courses – and perfect their own philosophical understanding.
“Our goal is to keep the children’s sense of wonder – and to teach them how to think well.”
Yuan similarly invites readers to deeper reflection with Village Luokan.
“I wanted people to think not just about the material success that comes with modernity, but to think about their relationships, too. Their relationship with their past, with nature,” Yuan said. “The village is 1,000 years old, and it runs on a set of virtues that emphasize relationships. It has its own way to say ‘right’ or ‘wrong.’ The universal concept of justice can be alien to them, although the village now becomes a modern market place.”
News Articles: Asian Beauty Trespassing Borders mirrors the beauty of our life enriched with Asian elements which reflect the idea of American beauty embraced by the artists from Asia. Focusing on Chinese art, this show takes us beyond the borders of the Great Wall from over which we see Beijing's ancient courtyards, hear the modern sounds of Nanjing’s roads, and enjoy the North American landscape from the artistic perspective of the East. Art does not see whether you are Asian or American. It sees beauty without boundary. Opening Reception: The opening reception will be a Chinese-themed cultural event and will include a tea event, delicious Chinese appetizers, traditional Chinese music, and much more! |  |
Public Lecture Professor Yang Zhilin from the Nanjing Arts Institute will give a public lecture entitled "Trespassing the Beauty between Styles and Borders" in which he will reference traditional Chinese art styles to illustrate the relationship between art, and the perception of art, in China and the U.S. Featured Artists: Asian Beauty Trespassing Borders features paintings from four prominent Chinese artists. Zhou Jingxin, Vice President of the prestigious Nanjing Arts Institute (NAI), has works in permanent collections such as the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, the Hong Kong Art Centre, and the Nanjing Museum, and has exhibited widely throughout China. Zhang Youxian, Associate Dean at the Nanjing Arts Institute Department of Fine Arts, is known for his traditional Chinese paintings, a style which he also teaches as a professor at NAI. Yang Zhilin, Professor of Art at the Nanjing Arts Institute, is best known for his new style of painting that diverges from traditional Chinese styles. Ning Zhao, a Chinese-born artist who has worked and taught at the Art Research Institute, the Hubei Art College, and the Nanjing Arts Institute and now lives in Canada using traditional Chinese aesthetics to create North American watercolor landscape paintings and figurative oil paintings. |  Professor Yang Zhilin  Dr. Fred Hanna conducts a concert in Nanjing at NAI in May 2009  Nanjing Arts Institute (NAI) |
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Books for Sale:
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 | Yang Zhilin 周京新 Nanjing Arts Institute Statement: "All of my works focus on one theme: time. When you look at one single painting, you can immediately get the understanding of that painting. But if you look at a long scroll, you cannot finish it in once brief look. When you move your focus from spot to spot, you experience time and your feelings can change. The three books on display also represent time." |
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 | Zhang Youxian 张友宪 Nanjing Arts Institute Statement: "The paintings in this 'Reading series' are about reading. They represent the beautiful, pure, raw feelings one gets when reading books. The role of women in these paintings has a relationship with Chinese tradition, in particular the Chinese saying, “By reading you gain knowledge, and knowledge makes your dream a reality.” In Chinese tradition, seeing a nude woman reading is unconventional. These paintings, therefore, depict a kind of fantasy world in which the reader can see and feel the good life." |
 | Zhou Jingxin 周京新 Nanjing Arts Institute Statement: "My works focus on two central themes: Chinese courtyards and birds. But in fact neither of these are what I truly want to express. The content of courtyards and birds is symbolic. For example, the paintings of the courtyards represent the concept of space in Chinese thought. Space can be subjective, like time. In a courtyard, even though the size of the space is small, the arrangement of the trees, bushes, rocks, water, pagodas, and so on gives the impression that it is much bigger. For the birds, each one has a different meaning. The eagle in the work entitled “Show展” emphasizes that when we see things, we must view it from a high vantage point so as to see it most clearly and in every aspect. “Butterfly 蝶,” on the other hand, represents the Chinese understanding of change. When we talk about looking at something or talk about change, we should be conscious of how birds see things and how butterflies change. The works then become about humankind in the way humans should look at things and understand change." |
 | Ning Zhao 趙寧 Canadian Artist Ning Zhao, a visual artist, is a member of the Society of Canadian Artists, the Color and Form Society, the Mississauga Art Gallery, Visual Arts Mississauga and Oil Painters of America. He has worked and taught in the Art Research Institute, Hubei Art College and Nanjing Art College in China. |
The Asian World Center warmly invites you to attend a unique event at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater on Thursday, February 11, 2010, at 7:00 pm. The event includes welcome remarks from Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., prior to the screening of an internationally-acclaimed Chinese film The Story of Qiu Ju. The Story of Qiu Ju (see the trailer below) depicts a Chinese peasant woman’s long pursuit for justice in a highly bureaucratic and turbulent rural society. The film beautifully portrays various formal and informal dispute resolution processes as well as enables a glimpse into rural China. While this touching story will surely stay in your heart, it also reminds us of the interesting form true justice can take. Information:Location: Film Streams' Ruth Sokolof Theater Address: 1340 Mike Fahey Street, Omaha, NE 68102 Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010 Time: 7:00pm showing (The Story of Qiu Ju) Tickets: Click here to purchase tickets online More Information: Film Streams calendar More Information: Werner Institute website |  |
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The Asian World Center invites you to visit the Skutt Student Center Art Gallery for the photo exhibition “Finding Yantai: Omaha’s Sister City in China – A Photo Journey.” Omaha now is about to add its sixth sister city in Yantai, China. We dedicate this photo exhibition to this new relationship between Omaha and Yantai with pictures taken by members of the Omaha Sister Cities Association (OSCA) delegation during their 2009 trip to Yantai.
Exhibit Dates: April 1 – 11, 2010 (Skutt Student Center Art Gallery)
April 12-30, 2010 (Skutt Student Center Drawing Room)
Reception: Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 3:30pm (in the SSC Art Gallery area)
Gallery Open Hours: M-F 6:30am-11:00pm; Sat/Sun 10:00am-11:00pm
Sponsored by: Asian World Center
 Title: Water Calligraphy on Pavement Description: A man practices his calligraphy using a giant brush dipped in water. The water soon evaporates on the hot pavement, adding to the artistic appeal. Location: Beijing, Summer Palace Date: 04/10/09 Photographer: Sue Mehaffey |  Title: Mother and Child Visit the Great Wall Description: A mother and her child pose for a picture on the Great Wall. The Great Wall runs about 5,500 miles across China, but only a handful of sections remain intact to visit. Location: Beijing, Great Wall Date: 04/11/09 Photographer: Sue Mehaffey |
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 Title: Altar at Peking Duck Restaurant Description: In a restaurant’s lobby, four ducks hang above candles to represent thankfulness for plenty. Location: Beijing, Restaurant Date: 04/11/09 Photographer: Sue Mehaffey |  Title: Meeting the Peking Duck for the First Time Description: OSCA committee member Larry Uebner poses next to an acrylic statue of the “Peking Duck.” Peking Roast Duck is a famous duck dish from Beijing that has been prepared since the imperial era and is now considered one of China’s national foods. The character on the wall means “Double Happiness.” Location: Beijing, Peking Duck Restaurant Date: 04/11/09 Photographer: Sue Mehaffey |
 Title: Resting After a Day of Touring Description:A couple enjoys a moment of rest in Beijing’s historical and popular Forbidden City. Built in 1406, the complex consists of 980 surviving buildings, is over 7.8 million square feet and served as the home of the emperor and his household for over 500 years. Location: Beijing, Forbidden City Date: 04/11/09 Photographer: Sue Mehaffey |  Title: Tea! So Many Choices! Description: A young woman gives a lesson about the variety of tea as well as their health benefits. Tea has been used in China for both medicine and pleasure since its invention in China in 2737 BC. Location: Beijing, Tea House Date: 04/10/09 Photographer: Sue Mehaffey |
 Title: Years of Wear on the Great Wall Description: More than 6 million people visit the Great Wall each year. Here, one can see the evidence of just how many feet have climbed this ancient wonder. Location: Beijing, The Great Wall Date: 04/11/09 Photographer: Larry Uebner |  Title: Roof Guardians Description:Imperial roof guardians were only allowed on official buildings in ancient China. At the head is a man riding a phoenix, in between are mythical beasts ensuring the man performs his duties faithfully (the more beasts, the greater importance his duties are), and at the end is a dragon. Location: Beijing, Summer Palace Date: 04/10/09 Photographer: Larry Uebner |
 Title: Bicycling and Recycling Description: A man tows a large load of cardboard and other recyclables on an old bicycle cart. Whereas this might seem strange in the US, it is rather common and resourceful in China. Location: Beijing, Street Date: 04/10/09 Photographer: Larry Uebner |  Title: Wedding Photos on Moon Bay Description: A bride and groom pose for a series of wedding photos on the popular “Moon Bay” beach. Wedding photos are now an expensive yet necessary part for many Chinese weddings. Location: Yantai, Moon Bay Date: 04/12/09 Photographer: Larry Uebner |
 Title: The Old and the New Yantai Description: A clear distinction can be seen from the modern high-rise apartments in the background to the older yet common apartments in front. Of all the construction cranes in the world, 64% are located in China. Location: Yantai, View from hotel window Date: 4/13/09 Photographer: Sue Mehaffey |  Title: A Lesson from Americans Description: Attentive high school students in a crowded classroom listen intently to some OSCA committee members talk about Omaha and life in the United States. Location: Yantai, No.1 High School Date: 04/13/09 Photographer: Sue Mehaffey |
 Title: Student Transportation Description: A large lot of parked bicycles on a school campus. A majority of people use a bicycle for everyday transportation, although bicycle theft rates are very high. Location: Yantai, No.1 High School Date: 04/13/09 Photographer: Larry Uebner |  Title: Valmont Industries Welcomes the Omaha Delegation Description: Valmont Industries, one of Nebraska’s largest companies with a plant located in Valley, NE recently opened a pole manufacturing plant in Haiyang (just outside of Yantai). Here, Valmont representatives welcome the OSCA delegation to their new factory. Location: Haiyang, Valmont Hiayang Plant (in China) Date: 04/14/09 Photographer: Valmont Official |
 Title: Industrious Workers in Haiyang Description: Numerous workers are busy making sweaters in a factory in the city of Haiyang (near Yantai). Location: Haiyang, Huayuan Company Date: 04/14/09 Photographer: Sue Mehaffey |  Title: Searching for Mussels Description: Here, OSCA member Sue Mehaffey is digging for mussels by the Yellow Sea. Yantai has the largest fishing seaport in the province. Location: Haiyang, Yellow Sea beach Date: 04/14/09 Photographer: Larry Uebner |
 Title: Yantai Traffic Description: Morning rain leads to a traffic jam on a major street in Yantai. The increasing number of cars on the streets is a growing problem for China’s cities and environment. Location: Yantai, View from hotel window Date: 04/15/09 Photographer: Sue Mehaffey |  Title: Valmont Hospitality Description: Valmont hosts a dinner for the Yantai delegation visiting Omaha in October 2009. From left to right: Jeff Liu, Yantai Municipal Foreign Affairs Deputy Director; Rex Fisher, OSCA President; and Mayor Jim Suttle enjoy an evening getting to learn about Yantai and Omaha. Location: Omaha, Valmont Industries Headquarters Date: 10/22/09 Photographer: Zhang Zuxia (from Yantai) |